Recreational marijuana has been legal in Minnesota for two years now. We’ve got an update on where things stand. People are getting pumped up about inflatable watercrafts. We’ll talk about how these inflatables became game changers for lake life. Plus, wild rice harvests have been diminishing, and there’s a fierce debate over how to respond. What you need to know about the battle over Minnesota’s state grain.

Read more about inflatable watercraft, wild rice and Mark Boswell’s personal essay about wild ricing. 

This week our guests are audience editor Matt DeLong, outdoors reporter Bob Timmons and North Central Minnesota reporter Kim Hyatt.

Update: In this week’s episode, it was mistakenly stated that there was a prophecy about wild rice among the Ojibwe and Dakota people. We have updated the audio and removed the error. This was a prophecy among the Ojibwe, not the Dakota.

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

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Going to the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival this weekend? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know. People are using buy-now-pay-later to afford things like groceries – but at what cost? Plus, Mendota Heights neighbors are battling a bird colony polluting their lake with poo. But a solution to this crappy situation is proving difficult. 

Read more about Minnesota Yacht Club, buy-now-pay-later loans, and Lake Augusta. 

This week our guests are music critic Chris Riemenschneider, business reporter Bill Lukitsch and south metro reporter Eva Herscowitz.

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.

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We’ve got the inside scoop on why the Guthrie’s “Cabaret” is one of their best productions in years. “The Great Gatsby” turns 100 – is it worth another read? Plus, we’ll tell you about the Culinary North Stars that are pushing the boundaries of the Twin Cities’ dining scene.

Read more about the Culinary North Stars, Gatsby’s centennial, Gatsby remixes and the Guthrie’s production of “Cabaret”.

This week our guests are taste editor Nicole Hvidsten, general assignment reporter Zoë Jackson, interim books editor Chris Hewitt, theater critic Rohan Preston and digital food and culture producer Abby Sliva.

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

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This Fourth of July weekend, our music critic breaks down the best concert venues in town and takes us backstage at a Dylan concert. We’ll tell you where to stay cool with cotton candy-topped beverages and help you find a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard route through the Twin Cities’ most interesting waters. 

Read more about the best concert venues, gourmet cotton candy, and paddling urban lakes and rivers. 

This week our reporters are music critic Jon Bream, food and drink reporter Joy Summers, and built environment reporter Greta Kaul. 

You can follow Aaron Brown on X, Bluesky and Facebook at @minnesotabrown.   

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

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It’s Pride weekend, and there are 10,000 ways to celebrate - our team has your weekend plans on lock. We’ll get you caught up on local women’s rugby just in time for the championship final this weekend. The story of the closure (and reopening) of 19 Bar is a window into the history of an important gayborhood in Minneapolis. We’ll tell you about it. Plus, what it’s like to walk Minneapolis from the tippity top to the very bottom. 

This week our reporters are general assignment reporter Zoë Jackson, medical technology reporter Victor Stefanescu, sports intern Shelby Swanson, and digital food and culture producer Abby Sliva. 

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

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Happy Pride Month! We’ll hear stories from an online map that’s documenting stories of LGBTQ and Two Spirit people in Greater Minnesota. Grandma’s Marathon is this weekend and we’ll take a closer look at the one hill runners will have to face to finish. We’ll show you the line between legal and illegal e-bikes. And, we’ll get the inside scoop on the clawcade craze. Are we OK with these little casinos for kids?

Read more about the Greater MN queer history map, Lemon Drop Hill, e-bikes, and clawcades.

This week our reporters are columnist Laura Yuen, Duluth reporter Christa Lawler, outdoors reporter Bob Timmons, and visual art reporter Alicia Eler. 

You can follow Aaron Brown on X, Bluesky and Facebook at @minnesotabrown.   

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

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Our food expert shares her insider’s guide to the best food in downtown St. Paul – morning, noon and night. The job market is hard for everyone right now, but especially for recent college grads. We’ll get the full picture of what’s going on. Plus, we’ll tell you about a new place in southern Minnesota that uncovers a fascinating piece of Dakota history. 

Read more about what to eat in downtown St. Paul, unemployment among college grads and a groundbreaking archaeological find in Southern Minnesota.  

This week our reporters are food and drink reporter Joy Summers, economic reporter Emma Nelson and Rochester reporter Trey Mewes.

You can follow Aaron Brown on X, Bluesky and Facebook at @minnesotabrown.   

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

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We’re talking about some of the best ways to kick off a great summer. It’s the unofficial Prince Week in Minnesota, but the celebrations are legit. We’ll be your guide to the purple festivities. The state health department has cracked down on unlicensed pools and hot tubs, so what does that mean for your pool party plans? Plus, why a thousand people visit a 20-ft pencil every June and the winning Minnesota women’s sports teams to watch this summer. 

Read more about unofficial Prince Week, unlicensed rental pools, Lake of the Isles giant pencil, and Minneapolis’ women’s sports plans. 

This week our guests are features reporter Rachel Hutton, deputy sports editor Naila-Jean Meyers, visual art critic and reporter Alicia Eler, and music critic Jon Bream. 

You can follow Aaron Brown on X, Bluesky and Facebook at @minnesotabrown.   

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

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If you’re a fan of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” or just a tasty drink enjoyer, we’ll give you the deets on where to find a dirty soda. Tensions between the US and Canada spill over into a bike race in Grand Marais, and a couple of local $10 cereal brands are flying off the shelves. Plus, an amphitheater near St. Cloud worth checking out for summertime jams. 

Read more about dirty sodas, cereal upstarts, a dip in Canadian tourism and the Ledge Amphitheater.

This week our guests are taste editor Nicole Hvidsten, business reporter Brooks Johnson, Duluth reporter Christa Lawler and music critic Jon Bream.  

You can follow Aaron Brown on X, Bluesky and Facebook at @minnesotabrown.   

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

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In the mood for a drive? Before you head out on your next road trip - we find a couple places worth stopping for. We’ve got the essential guide for casual Timberwolves fans and we find out what’s stinking up some northern lakeshores. Plus five years later, the facts of George Floyd’s murder remain the same, but some are changing the story. We’ll find out more.

Read more about the Timberwolves bandwagon, piles of carp, best tourist traps, and revisionist history.

This week our guests are sports editor Ryan Kostecka, features reporter Rachel Hutton, outdoor reporter Alex Chhith, Minneapolis crime and policing reporter Andy Mannix and breaking news, crime and corrections reporter Liz Sawyer.  

You can follow Aaron Brown on X, Bluesky and Facebook at @minnesotabrown.   

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

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Whether you kayak, canoe or paddleboard - or you want to - we’ll hear the best paddling routes to try in the Twin Cities metro. There’s a new show about a real-life Minnesota woman-cowboy-detective from the 1800s. Plus, why you should think “salvage” for home remodeling and the cost to raise a kid here.

Read more about “Whoa, Nellie!,” our ultimate paddling guide, salvaging for your home and how much it costs to raise a kid in Minnesota. 

This week our guests are built environment reporter Greta Kaul, theater critic Rohan Preston, Hennepin County reporter Christopher Magan and editor Emma Nelson.

You can follow Aaron Brown on X, Bluesky and Facebook at @minnesotabrown.   

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

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Spring weather is here and we’re ready for it. Our expert foodie shares her tips for enjoying restaurant patio season, including how to do it on a budget. We’ve got a handful of reasons why Detroit Lakes is worth a look this summer. Plus, fishing drama and the pros/cons of being a human guinea pig, for science.

Read more about the best restaurant patios in the Twin Cities, where to eat in Duluth, fishing tech controversy, a tech-free fishing spot and joining research trials.

This week our guests are Features Reporter Richard Chin, Food and Drink Reporter Joy Summers, Outdoors Reporter Tony Kennedy and Travel Editor Simon Peter Groebner.

You can follow Aaron Brown on X, Bluesky and Facebook at @minnesotabrown.   

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

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We’ve got ways to win the cutthroat home buying game in MN. Plus we’re taking you inside the best places in the Twin Cities for Vietnamese food and the old-school fabric warehouse that’s an extravaganza of sewing supplies for DIY fashionistas. Our expert on going out also brings you a couple of fun, only-in-Minnesota things you can do exclusively this weekend – find out what they are before it’s too late. 

Read more about the fabric store Minnesotans are flocking to, trends in housing and the local Vietnamese food we talked about in this episode.

This week our guests are Features Reporter Rachel Hutton, Real Estate Reporter Jim Buchta, Assistant Food Editor Nancy Ngo and Food and Culture Digital Producer Abby Sliva.

You can follow Aaron Brown on X, Bluesky and Facebook at @minnesotabrown.   

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

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Your time is limited. Your money is, too. So how do you know what’s worth it? The Minnesota Star Tribune’s Nicole Norfleet and Aaron Brown curate a weekly guide to the Minnesota stories and happenings worth your time, attention – and money. The cool suburban stop for gourmet cotton candy, the new spot to farm camp, the best place to see a concert – and the venues to avoid – it’s all here on Worth It. The show launches May 2nd, wherever you get your podcasts. Follow the show now so you never miss an episode!

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